Saturday, November 06, 2004
Why Americans Hate Democrats�A Dialogue - Moralize, liberally. By Robert�Wright
Why Americans Hate Democrats�A Dialogue - Moralize, liberally. By Robert�Wright: "Kerry nibbled around the edges of this issue. He said the Iraq war had diverted resources from the fight against al-Qaida, annoyed allies, etc. He never stressed the central point: The war has made lots of Muslims hate America, and the more Muslims who hate America, the worse shape we're in. "
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"liberals have failed to stress that—whatever their views on abortion, gay marriage, and prayer in the schools—they share conservatives' underlying unease with pop-culture values."
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"liberals have failed to stress that—whatever their views on abortion, gay marriage, and prayer in the schools—they share conservatives' underlying unease with pop-culture values."
Middle America - INQ7.net
Middle America - INQ7.net: "The presidential election last Tuesday brought out the power of insular Middle America. Conservative, deeply nationalistic, moralistic and wary of foreigners, this side of America found its voice in George W. Bush. The other America-progressive, cosmopolitan, pragmatic and tolerant-found itself buried by an avalanche of voters who could find nothing in common with the more urbane John Kerry."
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"America may have made a big mistake in re-electing Bush, but few will deny its admirable vitality as a democratic nation. We can criticize America for its arrogance in world affairs, but there is much to admire in the way Americans govern themselves. They follow the law and take their government seriously. They are unflinching in their beliefs. They love their country, and their country takes care of its citizens. Such is a strong nation."
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"America may have made a big mistake in re-electing Bush, but few will deny its admirable vitality as a democratic nation. We can criticize America for its arrogance in world affairs, but there is much to admire in the way Americans govern themselves. They follow the law and take their government seriously. They are unflinching in their beliefs. They love their country, and their country takes care of its citizens. Such is a strong nation."
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Codependent No More - Can Bin Laden keep Bush in office? By William Saletan
Codependent No More - Can Bin Laden keep Bush in office? By William Saletan: "That's the story of Bush. Clear intentions, lousy judgment, counterproductive results. I love his intentions as much as I hate Bin Laden's, but the two men turn out to be well-matched. Bin Laden pisses people off and drives them into the arms of Bush. Bush pisses people off and drives them into the arms of Bin Laden. Bush keeps Bin Laden in business; Bin Laden keeps Bush in office. With clear intentions and lousy judgment, Bin Laden has shown up on the eve of our election, full of the same impenetrable self-assurance Pat Robertson noticed in Bush. No doubt Bin Laden hopes to assist, or at least take credit for, the president's defeat. And no doubt the results will be counterproductive. I just hope they aren't counterproductive enough, because this is one codependent relationship the world can't afford."
Lakoff's summary of progressive values
www.ChangeThis.com
PROGRESSIVES vs. CONSERVATIVES:
+ STRONGER AMERICA vs. STRONG DEFENSE
+ BROAD PROSPERITY vs. FREE MARKETS
+ BETTER FUTURE vs. LOWER TAXES
+ EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT vs. SMALLER GOVERNMENT
+ MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY vs. FAMILY VALUES
» A stronger America is not just about defense, but about every dimension of
strength: our effectiveness in the world, our economy, our educational system, our
health care system, our families, our communities, our environment, and so forth.
» Broad prosperity is the effect that markets are supposed to bring about. But all
markets are constructed for someone's benefit; no markets are completely free.
Markets should be constructed for the broadest possible prosperity, and they
haven't been.
» Americans want and deserve a better future—economically, educationally, environmentally,
and in all other areas of life—for themselves and their children.
Lowering taxes, primarily for the super-rich elite, has had the effect of defunding
programs that would make a better future possible in all these areas. The proper
goal is a better future for all Americans.
» Smaller government is, in conservative propaganda, supposed to eliminate waste.
It is really about eliminating social programs. Effective government is what we
need our government to accomplish to create a better future.
» Conservative family values are those of a strict father family—authoritarian,
hierarchical, every man for himself, based around discipline and punishment.
Progressives live by the best values of both families and communities: mutual
responsibility, which is authoritative, equal, two-way, and based around caring,
responsibility (both individual and social), and strength.
PROGRESSIVES vs. CONSERVATIVES:
+ STRONGER AMERICA vs. STRONG DEFENSE
+ BROAD PROSPERITY vs. FREE MARKETS
+ BETTER FUTURE vs. LOWER TAXES
+ EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT vs. SMALLER GOVERNMENT
+ MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY vs. FAMILY VALUES
» A stronger America is not just about defense, but about every dimension of
strength: our effectiveness in the world, our economy, our educational system, our
health care system, our families, our communities, our environment, and so forth.
» Broad prosperity is the effect that markets are supposed to bring about. But all
markets are constructed for someone's benefit; no markets are completely free.
Markets should be constructed for the broadest possible prosperity, and they
haven't been.
» Americans want and deserve a better future—economically, educationally, environmentally,
and in all other areas of life—for themselves and their children.
Lowering taxes, primarily for the super-rich elite, has had the effect of defunding
programs that would make a better future possible in all these areas. The proper
goal is a better future for all Americans.
» Smaller government is, in conservative propaganda, supposed to eliminate waste.
It is really about eliminating social programs. Effective government is what we
need our government to accomplish to create a better future.
» Conservative family values are those of a strict father family—authoritarian,
hierarchical, every man for himself, based around discipline and punishment.
Progressives live by the best values of both families and communities: mutual
responsibility, which is authoritative, equal, two-way, and based around caring,
responsibility (both individual and social), and strength.
America wakes up.
Will today mark the resurgence of the US in the world, or accentuate a long-term downturn? Regardless of the election's outcome, only time will tell. There is one thing that fascinates me about W. Bush: that everywhere he goes, he creates an equally strong opposing force to what he represents.
